Akai MPD32 Pad Controller Ships

Advanced controller with MPC pads is now available 01/07/08

Akai have announced that the MPD32 pad controller is available for purchase.
MPD32 is Akai Professional's flagship pad controller for musicians and DJs. Using a USB cable to connect to a Mac or PC, MPD32 is perfect for hardware control of popular music programs such as Reason, Ableton Live and GarageBand. MPD32 is the only pad controller to feature Akai Proâ€™s MPC Note Repeat with swing and gate time parameters.
Akai tell us that the MPD32 is also the only controller that can also work as a master clock for MIDI sequencers. With the Tap Tempo function, musicians can control tempo in real time during performances. Sixteen velocity and pressure-sensitive genuine MPC pads provide the industry's finest feel and expression.
Assignable MIDI controllers include eight assignable faders, eight assignable switches, and eight assignable 360-degree knobs. Three selectable control banks extend the number of available faders, buttons and knobs to 24 each for a grand total of 72 controllers. Four pad banks equate to 64 total pads.
MPD32 also features transport controls for interfacing with DAW/sequencing applications like Sonar, Cubase and Logic. To summarise, Akai say thatMPD32 is a fully programmable controller and multifunctional control surface that fits perfectly within any production or performance environment.Key features of the MPD32 include:

If youâ€™re looking for a MIDI pad controller on a modest budget and canâ€™t be troubled to build your own then no doubt you will have found these three; M-Audio Trigger Finger, Korg padKontrol and the Akai MPD 24.

They are all around a similar budget and each has their own appeal but on paper its a tough call. To get full comparative view you may visit http://www.djtechtools.com/2008/08/08/pad-controller-smackdown/